Maroc - NEWSLINENG.COM.NG - A La Une - 24/Feb 13:37

IGP Egbetokun resigns

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has resigned from office at the request of President Bola Tinubu, sources within the Presidency have confirmed.A source who spoke with Premium Times disclosed that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.He is to be replaced by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu.Although no official announcement had been made as of the time of filing this report, sources at the Presidency and the Force Headquarters said preparations were underway for a formal handover ceremony.An official announcement is expected later on Tuesday.Calls to the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, and the Force Public Relations Officer, Ben Hundeyin, were unsuccessful at the time of this report.Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, and his appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.He was appointed at the age of 58 and was initially due for retirement on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.However, the National Assembly amended the Police Act, enabling him to serve a fixed four-year term as IGP unless removed by the President.The Presidency had previously maintained that his continued stay in office was lawful under the amended Police Act 2024, which allows an appointed IGP to complete a four-year tenure regardless of age or years of service.Egbetokun’s tenure was marked by a number of controversies, including allegations of human rights abuses and public criticism over the extension of his stay in office.Despite earlier complaints from civil society groups and some members of the public, the Presidency had defended its position until the latest development.Tunji Disu is expected to assume office as the new Inspector-General of Police following the formal handover.